Orient will keep chasing their automatic promotion dream as long as it’s mathematically possible.

That’s the view of goalscoring winger Dean Cox, who took his tally to 13 for the season with a brilliantly taken

effort in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.

Cox said: “It’s going to be difficult, but as long as it’s mathematically possible we’re going to keep believing.

“We going into every game trying to win. It’s great to be sure of a play-off place, but we want to gain a bit of momentum going into those games.

“It’s a good start here, but we’ll be looking to pick up three points against Gillingham on Saturday.”

Cox’s moment of magic came four minutes before the end of a pretty abject first half.

He took advantage of a fortunate ricochet, lifted the ball over John Brayford before sliding the ball under goalkeeper Mark Howard.

The 26-year-old felt Orient dominated the first hour of the game but credited the Blades for coming back strongly in the second half after a tactical switch allowed goalscorer Jamie Murphy to operate through the middle.

Cox said: “We were in control but they piled on the pressure in the second half, got the equaliser and we move on.

“The home goal against Sheffield United was probably better. I was going to hit it with my left but that’s the swinger so I wanted to trust my right foot.

“I managed to flick it over the defender and slide it under the keeper.”

Manager Russell Slade sprang a surprise of his own in the team selection, dropping top scorer David Mooney and bringing on Lloyd James to form a midfield three with John Lundstram and Jamie Ness.

It was a tactical tweak which the O’s had worked on in training leading up to the game and worked effectively according to the winger.

“I thought the three in the middle played really well and we were full of energy with myself and Mo (Odubajo) high up the pitch supporting Lis (Kevin Lisbie).

“We were solid at the back and maybe we should have nicked another one.”